Australian Antarctic icebreaker the Nuyina is currently at anchor off Burnie ahead of refuelling over the weekend.
The 160 metre long vessel has been refused permission to sail under the Tasman Bridge in Hobart to refuel at Self’s Point, forcing the 1300km detour via the East Coast and by-passing ports at Bell Bay and Devonport along the way.
TasPorts says the ship will berth around 5.30am on Sunday morning to refuel, with an estimated time of departure of 8 am on Tuesday morning.
The 12,000 tonne vessel is capable of carrying 1.9 million litres of fuel.
The ship will head straight to Davis Base in Antarctica after leaving Burnie and by-passing Hobart on the way.
The Australian Antarctic Division says the Nuyina will refuel in Burnie for the whole of the upcoming summer expedition season.
Meanwhile, the The State Government is investigating stationing a fuel barge in Hobart for future seasons.
